The Blank Theatre Company’s final production of its 20th anniversary season, the West Coast premiere of Jon Marans' The Temperamentals, begins previews April 9.

Directed by Michael Matthews, the production will officially open April 16 at 8 PM. Performances will continue through May 22.

The cast comprises Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum for Reprise, Venice at the Kirk Douglas Theatre), BAFTA Award winner Dennis Christopher ("Deadwood," "Profiler"), Patrick Scott Lewis ("American Dreams," "Zodiac"), Mark Shunock (Timon in The Lion King) and John Tartaglia (Tony Award nominee for Avenue Q; the original cast of Shrek The Musical).

"In 1950s Los Angeles, tired of police harassment, back alley bars and living in fear, a few brave souls set out to change their world and claim their civil rights," according to press notes. "In a time when nothing could be spoken in the open, notorious communist Harry Hay and cultural icon Rudi Gernreich fell in love while building a movement. This is their story. 'Temperamental' was code for 'homosexual,' part of a secret survival language created by gay men in the pre-Stonewall United States."

The production also features a set by Kurt Boetcher, lighting by Cameron Zetty, costumes by Lauren Tyler and sound by Warren Davis. Matt Wolpe serves as music director, and producers are Daniel Henning, Noah Wyle, Matthew Graber and Angel Parker. The production stage manager is Marcedes Clanton.

Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.TheBlank.com or by calling (323) 661-9827. A speakeasy-style bar will be open to ticket holders at the Dragonfly Club (adjacent to the 2nd Stage) before evening performances, as well as at intermission. The Blank’s 2nd Stage Theatre is located at 6500 Santa Monica Boulevard (at Wilcox), in Hollywood.